Loneliness and depression: I noticed a... - Atrial Fibrillati...

Atrial Fibrillation Support

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Loneliness and depression

Buffafly profile image
27 Replies

I noticed a comment from BobD on a recent post that this is an AF forum, not a Covid -19 forum' (summary).

True, but at the moment I don't feel normal rules apply. What most posters really want is reassurance and contact with people they know are going to be supportive. Some of us are going to get lonely and depressed as well as anxious in the months to come so I hope we can keep up the jokes and jazz songs (though rock is more my thing).

Can I also suggest - sorry if this is morbid - that you give someone else access to your account so if you are very ill we can be told and send healing vibes/prayers to you 💕

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Buffafly profile image
Buffafly
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27 Replies

Good idea

Af is often accompanied by the black dog of depression and anxiety. People on here can and have helped with that association in the past. I think a lot of that advice and solidarity can be applied to Coronavirus and Depression/Anxiety.

in reply to jedimasterlincoln

Yes, the proverbial snowball rolling downhill

Jalia profile image
Jalia

Agree with you Buffafly. ..well said

jeanjeannie50 profile image
jeanjeannie50 in reply to Jalia

Me too and have replied to BobD on Flapjacks post.

Hilly22 profile image
Hilly22

I’m with you on this too Buffafly. One of the reasons this forum is so successful is its friendliness, and our ability to be able to discuss things that might be concerning us. I can’t think of many people who haven’t discussed things other than AF on this forum!

And I ask “Is it going to harm anyone?”

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to Hilly22

Only all the fake news Hilly but I do hope we won't fall out over this. I am really concerned that too much is wrong and merely adding to anxiety. If nothing else--- my own!!!!

Hilly22 profile image
Hilly22 in reply to BobD

Of course we won’t fall out Bob, remember Dolly Parton 😆

I nearly edited out “what harm will it do?” when I realised that there’s a danger of misinformation. I’m trying my best on here to look on the positive side and will if I can try to stop any nonsense that people may have read from unreliable sources. There’s a lot of rubbish flying around and I for one will always fact check before I post anything. But these are strange times and some people will need to talk about it because they’re worried, and they’re amongst friends.

Just had a call from my pregnant daughter who’s been listening to the news ... she’s not a happy bunny. And we’ve just cancelled our house sale and purchase because it’s not feasible to complete in the next 6 weeks. Couldn’t have happened at a worse time.

We’ve been friends for a while, you and I, and this virus is doing enough harm without it spoiling that too.

Time to batten down my friend.

Lots of love xx

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer in reply to Hilly22

Dolly forever!

Hilly22 profile image
Hilly22 in reply to BobD

Always ...

Buffafly profile image
Buffafly in reply to BobD

I haven't noticed any fake news here but perhaps it is in posts I haven't read?

meadfoot profile image
meadfoot

Unusual circumstances bring unusual responses and reactions. Given so many people with af have real concerns about the corona virus and especially if we over seventies end up hold up in isolation then this forum will be an absolute lifeline.

Any humor, mutual support, questions and concerns aired will help each of us feel connected whilst dealing with our af and corona concerns. Now feels the time to be even more mutually support than ever. A good bunch here who will be only too pleased to offer big hugs and try to deflect any isolation and loneliness with afers can feel, it's going to be a long haul potentially.

Let's all keep our chin up. We have just set up a whats app group with my fellow pain management course attendees now the nine weeks course is finished. It is our intention informally to meet up on occasion, support our pain issues together and help each other out during the corona outbreak.

Hugs all round x

in reply to meadfoot

We r family here, thats what families do💜

Fibber222 profile image
Fibber222 in reply to meadfoot

I am new to this sight with PAF with aortic regurgitation (moderate). What a lovely caring forum this is. I know this is for AF problems but in the light of this horrible virus it’s comforting to know there are people out there we can contact with the same problems. Love and friendship to everyone. X

CDreamer profile image
CDreamer

I absolutely agree - BUT - we neither should we allow COVID to completely dominate discussion simply because it will scare off many people who may have important contributions to make. I personally do not wish to get involved in debates as to whether this course of action or that is right or wrong but am focussed on preparing for the worst, hoping for the best and planning how to help myself and others to cope - because life as we knew it is going to change and no-one will be left unaffected in some way.

Bagrat profile image
Bagrat

Agree we are all here to support one another and we are all going to need help from each other so we are coping in as sensible a manner as possible.

BobD profile image
BobDVolunteer

Excellent idea.

Smokie2D profile image
Smokie2D

I am using my time searching online for my ancestors, it has become a fine way to use the alone time. Not something I would have spent time on before!

Cheruboo profile image
Cheruboo

Just been looking at the posts, I think the way to cope, with our Af and this isolation situation, is to have a list of jobs to keep us occupied, incorporating appropriate exercise which we are comfortably able to do, whatever our medical situation, get some fresh air, and enjoy the outside elements. I can’t walk very far these days, but Mike, my husband and I drove down to the local reservoir and walked, just watching the swans, ducks etc., who were busy planning there springtime. Nobody else was about, it was just beautiful and good to be alive. Thank you everyone for being so truthful on this healthline it is so good to know you are all there. Such a comfort.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Cheruboo

You are lucky! New restrictions here in France forbid us to leave our homes except for work, food shopping ,chemist and medical visits. You have to download a form and fill it out saying why you are going out ,ready to present to the police who will stop people randomly in roadblocks etc. Infractions to occur fines. So no nipping out for jaunts . Seems illogical as who are you going to infect in a car but it is to try and stop people visiting friends and family. At least we have a garden- it will be awful for people in appartements.

Cheruboo profile image
Cheruboo in reply to Auriculaire

Sounds awful Auriculaire, hope the Police restrictions don’t start here, but we have only just begun with do’s and don’ts, we will have to wait and see, in the meantime enjoy our gardens, as you say how must it be for people living in apartments, so difficult.

Auriculaire profile image
Auriculaire in reply to Cheruboo

I'm not that bothered at the moment. I love gardening, reading , watching tv so I don't feel deprived. Not being able to eat out is the worst thing for us. No days off from cooking! Husband went out on bike to get food and was stopped by police but it was all fairly perfunctory. They did not look closely at his attestation. Some greedy Brits had cleared out all the baked beans ( the French scorn them).

Eddie49 profile image
Eddie49

So there is little to worry about? It is just a game and we are being manipulated for some reason unknown to us? We should all just go about our business? 'It's a hoax folks' (wonder who I have heard saying that a lot over the last few years?).

Eddie49 profile image
Eddie49

Sorry barbara, I am honestly not being argumentative but I still don't follow what you mean. I have constantly seen reporters on the news stressing that four out of five people who contract the virus will have a comparatively mild infection. That does not mean many, many others are not in grave danger. That is our reality. Where is the manipulation in that? I know quite a few 'older' people who intend (at the moment) just going about their business, picking up the grandchildren etc. going shopping, going to the cafe etc.

cbsrbpm profile image
cbsrbpm

Yes I agree Buffafly, as I have a history with depression and anxiety I find I have have slipped back since all this started and it does provide distraction and sometimes raise a smile 😊

Eddie49 profile image
Eddie49

Sorry Peter. I am having to get used to looking at everything twice now that I am waiting for my cataracts to be fixed. lol

lixaian profile image
lixaian

Hi Buffafly, excellent post I agree with you whole heartedly,

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